McInnes calms jittery horse for medal haul in Oklahoma

Hikurangi western rider Olivia McInnes, 15, overcame a spooked horse she had only known for 30 minutes to win silver and bronze medals at her first international competition.
McInnes, who has been western riding since she was five, was "over the moon" with her medals in the cutting category at the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup in Oklahoma last month.
"I waved our national flag [at the medal ceremony]. It was so exciting. I didn't know that I could do so well, but I did," she said.
Her coach, Dave Young, was very impressed with McInnes's performance.
"She did tremendously well. She drew a horse that wasn't the prettiest animal - the horse was fresh and a bit too keen - but to Olivia's credit she adjusted extremely well. I was very, very proud of her," Young said.
He said McInnes was chosen for cutting because she was the best in the New Zealand team for that class.
The keen rider competed against 15 other top cutting riders from around the world and Young said: "I was very tickled with the way she handled her horse."
He said it was scary hopping on a strange horse and then having to compete.
"She obviously did a great job - the judges thought so and so did we."
McInnes was worried about her horse to begin with.
"I freaked out that it wasn't going to be a good horse because it was spooked and wouldn't stand still, but I got on for a second time and it calmed down. We did really well," McInnes said.
McInnes competed in two other categories - hunter under the saddle and western pleasure.
She stood up against 48 other contestants in each category from around the world and while she wasn't placed, rode very well.
The talented young rider was among five from New Zealand competing at the championships.
The New Zealand youth team included Kimberley Anderson, 18, Georgia Higgins, 16, Kristen Gribble-Bowring, 18, Josh Robins, 14, and McInnes.
Sixteen countries from around the world took part, with the New Zealand team coming fifth overall.
McInnes said: "All of us kids did amazing."
Anderson achieved second in hunter under the saddle, Higgins placed second in trail, Robins  was second in western pleasure along with sixth and seventh in reining, and Gribble-Bowring was placed fourth in western pleasure.
Young said the competition was the closest thing the team could get to the Olympic Games.
"We managed to have Australia behind us - it's a friendly rivalry, but we love to beat them.
"All five kids are great ambassadors for New Zealand and they did the country proud."
McInnes said the trip was more than  expected and she enjoyed having all the contestants in the same hotel.
"The competitors were all really friendly and it was great getting to know them."
The talented young rider had spent two years competing under the watchful eye of the New Zealand team selectors and hopes to be chosen again for the 2012 world championships.
If picked, it will be her last time competing before she is too old for the youth championships.